Method that performs from scanning to storing scan data using scan send ticket

ABSTRACT

An image scanning method includes: generating, in a terminal, a scan job ticket as a data file containing content of a job for storing scan data, generated by image scanning, in a storage; based on the content of the job, generating, in an image scanning apparatus, a scan send ticket as a data file for sending the scan data; transmitting the scan job ticket from the terminal to the image scanning apparatus; in response to the receiving of the scan job ticket, authenticating, in the image scanning apparatus, the scan job ticket based on authentication information in the scan send ticket; and in response to the authentication, storing the scan data in the storage according to the content of the job.

BACKGROUND

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the description in this section isnot prior art to the claims in this application and is not admitted tobe prior art by inclusion in this section.

For an image forming apparatus (for example, printer, multifunctionprinter, or multi-functional peripheral), a function that transmitsobtained scan data to a storage region connected to a network has beenproposed. Specifically, for example, when handling scan data received ina fax, a technique that easily performs setting to sort the receivedscan data so as to store into a plurality of folders has been proposed.On the other hand, the following technique has also been proposed; thetechnique that specifies destinations of such as facsimile, e-mail, andfile transfer with reference to address book data and registers andobtains some attribute information of a plurality of users collectivelyin a short time in a method for transmitting various data to itsdestination.

However, the multifunctionality of the image forming apparatus hascaused a problem of complicated operation of the image formingapparatus.

SUMMARY

An image scanning method according to one aspect of the disclosureincludes: generating, in a terminal, a scan job ticket as a data filecontaining content of a job for storing scan data, generated by imagescanning, in a storage; based on the content of the job, generating, inan image scanning apparatus, a scan send ticket as a data file forsending the scan data; transmitting the scan job ticket from theterminal to the image scanning apparatus; in response to the receivingof the scan job ticket, authenticating, in the image scanning apparatus,the scan job ticket based on authentication information in the scan sendticket; and in response to the authentication, storing the scan data inthe storage according to the content of the job.

These as well as other aspects, advantages, and alternatives will becomeapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the followingdetailed description with reference where appropriate to theaccompanying drawings. Further, it should be understood that thedescription provided in this summary section and elsewhere in thisdocument is intended to illustrate the claimed subject matter by way ofexample and not by way of limitation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram representing a functionalconfiguration of an image forming system 10 according to the firstembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart representing a content of a scan datastoring process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart representing a content of a scan jobticket (SJT) preparing process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an explanatory view representing a folder selectionscreen used at the SJT preparing process according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart representing a content of an SJTtransmitting process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart representing a content of an SJTreceiving process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart representing a content of a completionresponse receiving process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart representing a content of a scaninitiating process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart representing a content of an SJcompletion process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart representing a content of a scan datastoring process according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart representing a content of a scan sendticket (SST) preparing process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates an explanatory view representing a user interfacescreen used at the SST preparing process according to the secondembodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates an explanatory view representing a user interfacescreen used at the SST preparing process according to the secondembodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a flowchart representing a content of an SJTpreparing process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 illustrates a flowchart representing a content of a scan job(SJ) search process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 illustrates a flowchart representing a content of a scan job(SJ) response process according to the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example apparatuses are described herein. Other example embodiments orfeatures may further be utilized, and other changes may be made, withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presentedherein. In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

The example embodiments described herein are not meant to be limiting.It will be readily understood that the aspects of the presentdisclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in thedrawings, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, anddesigned in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which areexplicitly contemplated herein.

A. First Embodiment

The following describes embodiments of the disclosure (hereinafterreferred to as, the “embodiments”) with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram representing a functionalconfiguration of an image forming system 10 according to firstembodiment of the disclosure. The image forming system 10 includes aplurality of image forming apparatuses 100 and a plurality of personalcomputers 200. The plurality of personal computers 200 are connected tothe plurality of image forming apparatuses 100 via a network (which is aLAN in this example). The image forming system 10 is configurable evenif the respective numbers of the personal computer 200 and the imageforming apparatus 100 is one.

The image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 110, an imageforming unit 120, an operation display unit 130, a storage unit 140, acommunication interface unit 150, and an automatic document feeder (ADF)160. The personal computer 200 includes a control unit 210, an operationdisplay unit 230, a storage unit 240, and a communication interface unit250.

The communication interface unit 150 and the communication interfaceunit 250 communicate using a transmission control protocol/Internetprotocol (TCP/IP) suite.

The image forming unit 120 includes an image scanning unit 121, an imageprocessing unit 122, and an image output unit 123. The image scanningunit 121 reads an image from a document to generate scan data. The imageprocessing unit 122 processes the scan data in accordance with a printsetting. The image output unit 123 prints on a printing medium based onthe processed scan data.

The operation display unit 130 of the image forming apparatus 100includes a display 131 and an operation processing unit 132. Theoperation display unit 230 of the personal computer 200 includes adisplay 231 and an operation processing unit 232. The display 131, whichfunctions as a touch panel, displays various menus as a receivingscreen. The operation processing units 132 and 232 accept an inputoperation of a user from the display 131, which functions as a touchpanel, and various kinds of buttons and switches (not illustrated).

The control units 110 and 210 include a main storage unit such as a RAMand a ROM, and a control unit such as a micro-processing unit (MPU) anda central processing unit (CPU). The control units 110 and 210 alsoinclude a controller function related to an interface such as variouskinds of I/Os, a universal serial bus (USB), a bus, and other hardware,and control the entire image forming apparatus 100 and the entirepersonal computer 200, respectively.

The storage units 140 and 240 are storage devices formed of such as ahard disk drive and a flash memory, which are non-transitory recordingmediums, and store control programs and data of processes performed bythe control units 110 and 210, respectively. The storage unit 140further includes an address book 141, a box storage region 142, and auser information storage region 143. A storage region available for eachuser of the image forming apparatus 100 is allocated in the box storageregion 142. The user information storage region 143 stores personalinformation, such a password for authentication of each user, associatedwith the user recorded in the address book 141.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart representing a content of a scan datastoring process according to the first embodiment. This embodiment isdescribed as one example of a client application, which operates onWindows (registered trademark) platform. The client application achievesthe scan data storing process using a server message block (SMB). TheSMB is a protocol and a communication service to perform such as a filesharing and a sharing of the image forming apparatus 100 by theplurality of personal computers 200 on the LAN.

The client application is stored in the storage units 140 and 240 andperformed by the control units 110 and 210, respectively. The personalcomputer 200 and the image forming apparatus 100 operate in a Peer toPeer method as follows based on the SMB protocol.

At Step S110, a user performs an SJT preparing process on the personalcomputer 200. The SJT preparing process is a process that prepares ascan job ticket (SJT). The scan job ticket is a ticket as a data filefor performing a job that stores scan data scanned and generated by theimage forming apparatus 100 in the predetermined folder of the storageunit 240 included in the personal computer 200.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart representing a content of the SJTpreparing process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 illustratesan explanatory view representing a folder selection screen used at theSJT preparing process according to the first embodiment. At Step S111,the control unit 210 performs a folder selecting process. The folderselecting process is a process for selecting a folder to store the scandata.

At Step S112, the control unit 210 performs an image forming apparatusselecting process. The image forming apparatus selecting process is aprocess that selects the image forming apparatus 100 for scanning. Thecontrol unit 210 displays a screen for selecting the image formingapparatus 100 (not illustrated) so as to ensure a selection by a user.The selection of the image forming apparatus can be performed in variousways such as a selection using an IP address, a selection by a webservices for devices (WSD) setting, and a selection by a name of theimage forming apparatus.

The control unit 210 causes the display 231 to display a folderselection screen 231 a, which is a user interface screen for selecting afolder. In this example, a Scandata folder in a window 231 w of thefolder selection screen 231 a is selected. The control unit 210 obtainsa path to the Scandata folder.

At Step S113, the control unit 210 performs the SJT generating process.The SJT generating process is a process for generating the scan jobticket. The scan job ticket may be constituted, for example, as a simpleobject access protocol (SOAP) message. The SOAP message of the scan jobticket is a data file that has a SOAP envelope including a SOAP mainbody.

The SOAP main body includes a host name (which is smith_PC in thisexample) of the personal computer 200, the path to the Scandata folder(c:files:Scandata in this example), the selected image forming apparatus100, a validity period Pv, information representing various kinds ofsettings when scanning, and user information. The various kinds ofsettings for scanning include settings such as a color/monochromeselection, a resolution setting, and a data type (JPG, PDF, or a similarformat) selection. The user information is information that has beenrecorded in the address book 141 of the image forming apparatus 100.This information is received on a user interface screen (notillustrated).

The validity period Pv, which is also referred to as validity periodinformation, for example, may be set as follows.

-   (1) A date and time range setting is a method for setting date and    time of a commencement and a termination of the validity period Pv.    Specifically, the date and time range setting is, for example, a    setting that the commencement is 1:00 P.M. Oct. 10, 2015 and the    termination is 5:00 P.M. on the same day.-   (2) A time limit setting is a method for setting a time limit from    the commencement of the validity period Pv. Specifically, the time    limit setting is, for example, a setting that the time limit is 30    minutes, being reckoned from an SJT receiving completion time t1    (described below) by the image forming apparatus 100 as the    commencement. This example will be described as the validity period    Pv is a time limit setting as the time limit of 30 minutes.

At Step S114, the control unit 210 can transmit or store the scan jobticket (Step S115) corresponding to a selection by a user. Atransmission destination of the scan job ticket is, in this embodiment,the image forming apparatus 100. A user can read the stored scan jobticket so as to use any time.

At Step S120 (see FIG. 2), the control unit 210 performs an SJTtransmitting process. The SJT transmitting process is a process wherethe personal computer 200 transmits the scan job ticket to the imageforming apparatus 100 so as to confirm that the image forming apparatus100 receives the scan job ticket. Thus, the control unit 210 and thecommunication interface unit 250 function as a scan job tickettransmitter.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart representing a content of the SJTtransmitting process according to the first embodiment. At Step S121,the control unit 210 confirms whether or not a file sharing function isoperating. Specifically, the control unit 210 confirms whether or not aLanmanServer (LAN manager server) is operating, the LanmanServer is aservice used for such as functions for a file sharing and a printersharing on the Windows (registered trademark) platform.

The control unit 210 causes the process to proceed to Step S122 if theLanmanServer is not operating and the process to proceed to Step S124 ifthe LanmanServer is operating. At Step S122, the control unit 210 causesLanmanServer to start.

At Step S123, the control unit 210 sets a flag that the control unit 210has initiated the LanmanServer. This flag is used for returning it to anoriginal state (a state that the LanmanServer is not operating) afterthe entire processes by the scan job ticket have been completed.

At Step S124, the control unit 210 performs a folder sharing settingprocess. The folder sharing setting process is a process to permit theimage forming apparatus 100 as a specific partner to write to a folder.The folder sharing setting process is performed to the Scandata folderusing, for example, “/grant” parameter on Net Share command. The foldersharing setting process is performed using a path, which identifies theScandata folder, stored in the scan job ticket.

At Step S125, the control unit 210 connects to the image formingapparatus 100, which is selected at Step S112, using the communicationinterface unit 250. At Step S126, the personal computer 200 transmitsthe scan job ticket configured as the SOAP message to the image formingapparatus 100.

At Step S127, the personal computer 200 performs a completion responsereceiving process from the image forming apparatus 100. The personalcomputer 200 receives a communication that the image forming apparatus100 has completed a receipt of the scan job ticket. The completionresponse receiving process is a process performed in response to thisreceiving. At Step S128, the personal computer 200 disconnects thecommunication with the image forming apparatus 100 in response to thisreceiving of a receipt completion response. The details of a content ofthe completion response receiving process will be described later.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart representing a content of an SJTreceiving process according to the first embodiment. At Step S210, thecontrol unit 110 performs the SJT receiving process using thecommunication interface unit 150. The SJT receiving process, which isconcurrently and simultaneously performed with the SJT transmittingprocess, is a process where the image forming apparatus 100 receives thescan job ticket (SJT) to become ready to accept a receipt by a user.Thus, the control unit 110 and the communication interface unit 150function as a scan job ticket receiver.

At Step S211, the image forming apparatus 100 receives the scan jobticket (SJT). At Step S212, the control unit 110 performs an SJT storingprocess. The SJT storing process is a process for confirming that thescan job is a job from a user recorded in the address book 141 usinguser information included in the scan job ticket, thus storing the scanjob ticket. The storing of the scan job ticket is, for example, aprocess for storing the scan job ticket in the storage unit 140 whileassociating the scan job ticket with user information recorded in theaddress book 141 or data inside or outside the image forming apparatus100 such as an external user management database.

At Step S213, the control unit 110 performs an SJT receipt responseprocess. The SJT receipt response process is a process for returninginformation that the scan job ticket is received on the image formingapparatus 100 with the validity period information representing thereceipt time t1 to the personal computer 200. The personal computer 200performs the completion response receiving process (Step S127) inresponse to the SJT receipt response process.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart representing a content of the completionresponse receiving process according to the first embodiment. At StepS1271, the personal computer 200 obtains the receipt time t1 from acommunication message (for example, SOAP message) by the SJT receiptresponse process from the image forming apparatus 100. The receipt timet1 is also referred to as a SJT receiving completion time.

At Step S1272, the control unit 210 confirms a validity period.Specifically, the control unit 210 determines which is the validityperiod Pv included in the scan job ticket; the date and time rangesetting or the time limit setting. In the case of the date and timerange setting, the process proceeds to Step S128 (see FIG. 5), and inthe case of the time limit setting, the process proceeds to Step S1273.In this example, the validity period Pv is the time limit setting as thetime limit of 30 minutes.

At Step S1273, the control unit 210 performs a validity expirationreference time setting process. The validity expiration reference timesetting process, which is a process for setting a validity expirationreference time based on the scan job ticket, sets the validityexpiration reference time to the SJT receiving completion time t1 as thecommencement of the validity period. At Step S1274, the control unit 210performs a validity period setting updating process. The validity periodsetting updating process is a process for updating the validity periodof the scan job ticket, in this example, the validity period of the scanjob ticket is 30 minutes from the SJT receiving completion time t1.

At Step S220 (see FIG. 2), the control unit 110 performs a scaninitiating process. The scan initiating process is a process forinitiating a scan operation in response to a user input to the imageforming apparatus 100. The user receipt is also referred to as aninitiation operation. The time of the user receipt is also referred toas a receipt time (time t2).

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart representing a content of the scaninitiating process according to the first embodiment. At Step S221, auser logs in to the image forming apparatus 100. In response to thelogin, the control unit 110 reads out the scan job ticket associatedwith the user information recorded in the address book 141 of the userwho has logged in.

At Step S222, the control unit 110 confirms an effectiveness of the scanjob ticket. The SJT effectiveness is, in this example, decided based onwhether or not the SJT effectiveness is within the time limitpreliminarily set from the SJT receiving completion time t1 (see StepS213) as described above. That is, the control unit 110 enables the scanjob ticket if the time from the receipt completion of the scan jobticket to the user login time (time t2) is within the time limit. As thebase point in time when determining whether or not the SJT effectivenessis within the time limit, an accept time of the initiation operation(Step S220) may be employed instead of the login time (time t2). Thelogin time (time t2) is also a concept included in the accept time ofthe initiation operation.

Specifically, assuming that the SJT receiving completion time t1 is 3:15P.M. on Oct. 10, 2015 and the time preliminary set is 30 minutes, thelogin until 3:45 P.M. on 10 Oct. 2015 is decided to be valid. On theother hand, the login after 3:45 P.M. on Oct. 10, 2015 is decided to beinvalid and the scan job ticket is discarded (Step S223).

At Step S224, the control unit 110 causes the display 131 to display ascan initiating screen (not illustrated) as an initial screen. The scaninitiating screen displays: that the scan initiating screen is displayeddue to the scan job ticket; and a setting and storage destination forscanning. A user can, for example, set a document in the ADF 160 andstart scanning by touching an OK button (not illustrated).

At Step S230 (see FIG. 2), the control unit 110 causes the imagescanning unit 121 to scan to generate scan data. The scan is performedbased on information representing various kinds of settings forscanning, which are included in the scan job ticket. The various kindsof settings include settings such as a color/monochrome selection, aresolution setting, and a data type (JPG, PDF, or a similar format)selection. Thus, the control unit 110 and the image scanning unit 121function as a scan data generator.

At Step S240, the control unit 110 transmits the scan job, whichincludes the scan data, to the personal computer 200. Thus, the controlunit 110 functions as a scan data store processing unit.

At Step S130, the personal computer 200 receives the scan job and storesthe scan data into the predetermined selected Scandata folder. Thisallows a user to store the desired scan data to the desired folder.

At Step S140 (see FIG. 2), the control unit 210 performs an SJcompletion process. The SJ completion process is a process for returninga LAN state such as the folder sharing setting and the LanmanServeroperation, which are required for the scan job ticket process, to thestate before the scan job ticket process.

This causes the image forming system 10 to limit a folder sharing stateto the time required for the scan job ticket process. This reduces thedecreased security of the personal computer 200 by the folder sharing.The image forming system 10 can further return the LAN state such as theLanmanServer operation to the state before the scan job ticket process,thus ensuring the reduced influence to this system.

The control unit 210, for example, even in the following cases, performsthe SJ completion process (Step S140) and displays an error display (notillustrated) on the display 231.

(1) Abnormal termination of the SJT transmitting process (Step S120)

(2) Discard of the scan job ticket (Step S223)

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart representing a content of the SJcompletion process according to the first embodiment. At Step S141, thecontrol unit 210 performs a folder non-sharing setting process. Thefolder non-sharing setting process is a process for returning theScandata folder in a sharing setting by the folder sharing settingprocess (Step S124) to a non-sharing setting.

The folder non-sharing setting process is performed, for example, using“/delete” parameter on Net Share command to the Scandata folder. Thefolder non-sharing setting process is performed using a path identifyingthe Scandata folder stored in the scan job ticket.

At Step S142, the control unit 210 determines whether or not theLanmanServer is initiated by the scan job ticket process. Thedetermination whether or not the LanmanServer has been initiated isperformed corresponding to a presence or absence of the setting of theflag indicative of initiation of the LanmanServer at Step S122. Thecontrol unit 210 halts the LanmanServer when the flag is set (StepS143).

At Step S144, the control unit 210 performs a scan job (SJ) completionnotifying process. The SJ completion notifying process is a process fortransmitting a notification that all the processes by the scan jobticket have been completed to the image forming apparatus 100. Thus, theSJ completion process can return the LAN state such as the foldersharing setting and the LanmanServer operation, which are required forthe scan job ticket process, to the state before the scan job ticketprocess.

At Step S250 (see FIG. 2), the control unit 110 performs an SJcompletion display. The SJ completion display is a process fordisplaying that all the processes by the scan job ticket have beencompleted on the display 131 of the image forming apparatus 100. Thisallows a user to leave from the image forming apparatus 100 afterconfirming the scan data is stored in the Scandata folder of thepersonal computer 200.

Accordingly, the image forming system 10 according to the firstembodiment can scan a document, generate scan data, obtain an accesspermission of the specified storage region, and achieves the sequence ofjob for storing the scan data without performing a setting operationthat requires the time at the image forming apparatus 100. This ensuresthe improved operability, which leads to the operational efficiency, ofthe image forming apparatus 100 while ensuring the image formingapparatus 100 to perform a complicated process

B. Second Embodiment

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart representing a content of a scan datastoring process according to a second embodiment. The scan data storingprocess according to the second embodiment can be achieved by anidentical hardware configuration to the one of the first embodiment.

At Step S310, the user performs an SST preparing process on the imageforming apparatus 100. The SST preparing process is a process thatprepares a scan send ticket (SST). The scan send ticket is a ticket as adata file for performing a job that stores preliminary obtained scandata in a predetermined folder in the storage unit 240 in the personalcomputers 200 in response to the receiving of the scan job ticket.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart representing a content of a scan sendticket (SST) preparing process according to the second embodiment. FIGS.12 and 13 are explanatory views representing user interface screens 131a to 131 e used at the SST preparing process according to the secondembodiment. The control unit 110 displays a home screen 131 a as aninitial screen in the display 131. The home screen 131 a providesoptions of a transmitting function. The control unit 110 displays a sendscreen 131 b in the display 131 in response to the selection of thetransmitting function by the user.

At Step S311, the user can perform an SST generation initiatingoperation on the send screen 131 b. The SST generation initiatingoperation is an operation that causes the image forming apparatus 100 toinitiate a generation of the scan send ticket. The SST generationinitiating operation can be performed by touching a scan send ticketicon 135 b.

At Step S312, the control unit 110 determines whether or not a user hasalready logged in the image forming apparatus 100. This is because thescan data storing process according to the second embodiment is aprocess that requires a user authentication as described below. When theuser has already logged in, the process proceeds to Step S314. When theuser has not logged in, the process proceeds to Step S313. At Step S313,the control unit 110 displays a scan send ticket setting screen 131 cthat inquires user information for login in the display 131.

At Step S313, the control unit 110 displays the scan send ticket settingscreen 131 c including a user information tab 137 c in the display 131.The user can log in the image forming apparatus 100 by inputting userinformation (user name and password) for login in a user name field 137d and a password field 137 e, and pressing an OK icon 137 f. The controlunit 110 can perform an authentication necessary for login by using auser name and a password read out from the user information storageregion 143.

The control unit 110 displays a scan send ticket setting screen 131 dincluding a user setting tab 138 d in the display 131 in response to thelogin. The user can set a scan send ticket validity period on the usersetting tab 138 d. The user can set any validity period by selecting“ON” on a radio button 138 g, inputting a numerical value on a validityperiod field 138 e, and pressing an OK icon 138 f. In this example, thevalidity period is set from 12 A.M. to 4 P.M. on a current day.

The control unit 110 changes the user interface screen from the scansend ticket setting screen 131 d to a send screen 131 e in response to atouch of the OK icon 138 f. On the send screen 131 e, a new scan sendticket (SST) is generated automatically. In the scan send ticket, a username of the user, who has logged in, and a host name of a PC used by theuser are registered in advance. The user name and the PC host name aredata read out from the user information storage region 143.

At Step S314, the control unit 110 performs a scan send ticket (SST)generating process. The SST generating process is a process thatgenerates the scan send ticket. The scan send ticket may be, forexample, constituted as a simple object access protocol (SOAP) message.The SOAP message of the scan send ticket is a data file that has a SOAPenvelope including a SOAP main body. In this respect, the generation ofthe scan send ticket is similar to the generation of the scan jobticket. Thus, the control unit 110 functions as a scan send ticketgenerating unit.

The SOAP main body includes a host name (or an IP address) of the imageforming apparatus 100, the validity period Pv, information representingvarious kinds of settings on scanning, and user information. The variouskinds of settings on scanning include settings such as a color ormonochrome selection, a setting of a resolution, and a selection of adata type (such AS JPG or PDF). The user information is informationstored in the user information storage region 143 of the image formingapparatus 100. After completing the generation of the scan send ticket,the process proceeds to Step S320 (see FIG. 10).

At Step S320, the user can start scanning, for example, by setting anoriginal document in the ADF 160, and touching a scan icon 136 e. Thisscan data generated by scanning is automatically associated with theabove-described scan send ticket.

At Step S330, the control unit 110 performs a scan job storing process.The scan job storing process is a process that stores the scan sendticket and the scan data associated with the scan send ticket in theavailable storage region, which is assigned to the user who has loggedin, within the box storage region 142.

FIG. 14 illustrates a flowchart representing a content of an SJTpreparing process according to the second embodiment. At Step S410, theuser performs the SJT preparing process on the personal computer 200.The SJT preparing process is basically similar to the scan job ticket(SJT) preparing process at Step S110 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). However, theSJT preparing process at Step S410 is different from the SJT preparingprocess at Step S110 in that the image forming apparatus selectingprocess (Step S112) is changed to an SJT search setting process (StepS412).

The image forming apparatus selecting process (Step S112) is deletedbecause the image forming apparatus is not selected in advance, and theimage forming apparatus is a search target by a broadcast. A content ofthe SJT search setting process (Step S412) is described later.

At Step S420 (see FIGS. 10 and 15), the control unit 210 performs a scanjob (SJ) search process. The SJ search process is a process thattransmits a scan job ticket to the plurality of image formingapparatuses 100 connected to the network by broadcast transmission, andsearches a scan send ticket corresponding to the scan job ticket.

FIG. 15 illustrates a flowchart representing a content of the SJ searchprocess according to the second embodiment. The SJ search process isidentical to the SJT transmitting process (Step S120 in FIG. 5) atprocesses at Steps S121 to S124. However, the SJ search process isdifferent from the SJT transmitting process (Step S120) in that afterthe folder sharing setting process (Step S124), a broadcast transmission(Step S425) is performed.

At Step S425, the personal computer 200 performs the broadcasttransmission (see FIG. 10). The broadcast transmission meanstransmission of the scan job ticket to all the network terminals (nodes)connected to the network where the personal computer 200 is connected.Accordingly, at Step S340, the plurality of image forming apparatuses100, which are the network terminals, perform a scan job (SJ) responseprocess.

FIG. 16 illustrates a flowchart representing a content of the SJresponse process according to the second embodiment. At Step S341, theplurality of image forming apparatuses 100 each receive the broadcast.At Step S342, the respective control units 110 of the plurality of imageforming apparatuses 100 compare authentication information (user nameand password) of the scan job ticket with the one of the scan sendticket. When both authentication information do not match each other,the process proceeds to Step S345. When both authentication informationmatch each other, the process proceeds to Step S343. Thus, the controlunit 110 functions as an authenticating unit.

At Step S343, the control unit 110 performs an SST effectivenessconfirming process. The SST effectiveness confirming process is, forexample, a process that confirms whether a time when both theauthentication information matched each other is within the validityperiod of the scan send ticket or not. When the time is within thevalidity period, the process proceeds to Step S344. When the time is notwithin the validity period, the process proceeds to Step S345.

At Step S344, the control unit 110 sends back the scan job or the scansend ticket to a transmission source of the broadcast transmission. Thecontrol unit 110 sends back one of the scan job and the scan send ticketbased on an SJT search setting in the scan job ticket. At the SJT searchsetting process (Step S412 in FIG. 14), the user can set any one methodamong following methods.

-   (1) To receive scan data immediately from the plurality of image    forming apparatuses 100.-   (2) To cause the control unit 110 to send back a scan send ticket    whose authentication information matches, select reception-target    scan data in the scan send ticket, and receive only the selected    scan data.    In this example, the latter, (2) is selected.

At Step S345, the control unit 110 discards the scan job ticket and thescan send ticket.

At Step S430 (see FIG. 10), the control unit 210 performs a scan job(SJ) requesting process. At the SJ requesting process, the control unit210 receives at least one scan send ticket from the plurality of imageforming apparatuses 100 so as to display a list of the scan send ticketon the display 231. The user selects a reception-target scan send ticketfrom the list of the scan send ticket. The control unit 210 requestsscan data associated with the selected scan send ticket from acorresponding image forming apparatus 100.

The selection of scan data may be a selection of each scan send ticket,and may be selectable from a plurality pieces of scan data associatedwith the scan send ticket. The control unit 210, when requesting thescan data, transmits information that identifies the scan send ticket orthe scan data to the image forming apparatus 100, which has sent backthe scan send ticket.

At Step S350, the control unit 110 transmits the scan data associatedwith the specified scan send ticket or the scan job including thedirectly specified scan data, to the personal computer 200. Thus, thecontrol unit 110 functions as a scan data storing processing unit.

At Step S440 (see FIG. 10), the control unit 210 performs a scan job(SJ) receiving process. At the SJ receiving process, similarly to the SJreceiving process at Step S130, the personal computer 200 receives thescan job so as to store the scan data in a predetermined selectedScandata folder. This enables the user to store desired scan data in adesired folder. An SJ completion process (Step S450) is a process whosecontent is identical to the one of the SJ completion process (StepS140).

At Step S360, the image forming apparatus 100 performs the SJ completionprocess. The SJ completion process is a process that deletes thetransmitted scan data and scan send ticket from the box storage region142. This eliminates the useless use of the box storage region 142, thusensuring efficient use of the box storage region 142. However, it isalso possible to ensure a setting for not deleting the transmitted scandata.

Thus, the image forming system 10 according to the second embodiment canemploy the box storage region 142 of the image forming apparatus 100,scan an original document, and stores the scan data associated with acontrol data file (scan send ticket). The user simply transmits a scanjob ticket from the personal computer 200 by broadcast transmission, soas to download a scan job associated with a scan send ticket whoseauthentication information corresponds to the transmitted scan jobticket, from the box storage region 142 to a desired store region. Thisensures the improved operability of the image forming apparatus 100while causing the image forming apparatus 100 to perform complicatedprocesses, and furthermore to improve an operational efficiency of theimage forming apparatus 100.

C. Modifications

The disclosure will not be limited to respective embodiments describedabove, but modifications as follows are also possible.

Modification 1

While in the first embodiment, any authority confirmation is notperformed to the process of the job by the scan job ticket, for example,information about whether or not to permit the process of the job by thescan job ticket may be recorded in an address book. This configurationallows only users recorded in the address book to perform the process ofthe job by the scan job ticket.

Modification 2

While in the first embodiment, the process of the job by the scan jobticket is executable in response to the login, the login function is notnecessarily used. Specifically, for example, a password may be requiredon the process of the job by the scan job ticket.

Modification 3

While in the second embodiment, the process of the job by the scan jobticket is executable in response to the login, the login function is notnecessarily used. Specifically, for example, a following configurationmay be possible; the configuration that allocates temporarily a gueststorage region in the box storage region 142, requests respective piecesof user information (for example, user name and password input) whengenerating a scan send ticket and a scan job ticket, and authenticatesthe scan send ticket and the scan job ticket based on a match betweenthe respective pieces of user information of the scan send ticket andthe scan job ticket.

Modification 4

At the SJ requesting process of the second embodiment (Step S430 in FIG.10), the control unit 210 is configured to transmit information, whichidentifies a scan send ticket or scan data, so as to obtain the scandata. However, the configuration of the control unit 210 is not limitedto this. The control unit 210 may be configured to transmit information,which identifies a scan send ticket or scan data, so as to perform otherjobs such as deleting the scan send ticket or the scan data, orforwarding the scan send ticket or the scan data to another imageforming apparatus. In this case, job contents such as deleting andforwarding may be included in any one of the scan send ticket and thescan job ticket. However, if the control unit 210 is configured to beable to include these job contents in the scan job ticket, this canimprove convenience because the scan job ticket can be set freely from apersonal computer side.

Modification 5

While in the respective above-described embodiments a validity periodsettable by a user is employed, for example, a duration period (servicelife) settable only by an administrator due to a management request of astorage region in an image forming apparatus or similar apparatus. Theduration period, for example, may be a certain period from a beginningof use of the storage region in the image forming apparatus or similarapparatus. The storage region is applicable to not only the storageregion in the image forming apparatus, for example, but also variousconfigurations such as a hard disk, a server, and a cloud that areconnected to the network. In the storage region, data required in thedisclosure such as a scan job ticket, a scan send ticket, and scan datacan be stored.

Modification 6

While in the respective above-described embodiments, an image scanningsystem includes a personal computer and an image forming apparatusconnected to the LAN, the image reading system does not necessarilyinclude a personal computer and an image forming apparatus.Specifically, for example, an image scanning apparatus may be usedinstead of an image forming apparatus. Furthermore, the image scanningsystem may be configured by connecting a smart phone or a tablet, andthe image forming apparatus with a wireless communication such as aBLUETOOTH (registered trademark). In this case, a user interface(initiation operation receiver) for initiating scan may be provided byany one of the smart phone or the tablet, and the image formingapparatus.

Modification 7

While in the respective above-described embodiments, the personalcomputer generates and transmits the scan job ticket and the scan datais stored in the storage region of the personal computer, the scan datais not necessarily stored in the storage region of a terminal thatgenerates and transmits the scan job ticket. Specifically, for example,it may be generated and performed that the scan job ticket for storingit in a server computer that the personal computer has an authority towrite.

Modification 8

While in the respective above-described embodiments, the personalcomputer is employed, the disclosure is applicable to a portableterminal such as a notebook PC and a tablet as long as the portableterminal can communicate with the image forming apparatus. Thecommunication includes a wired communication and a wirelesscommunication.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, otheraspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes ofillustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scopeand spirit being indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image scanning method, comprising: generating,in a terminal, a scan job ticket as a data file containing content of ajob for storing scan data, generated by image scanning, in a storage;based on the content of the job, generating, in an image scanningapparatus, a scan send ticket as a data file for sending the scan data;transmitting the scan job ticket from the terminal to the image scanningapparatus; in response to the receiving of the scan job ticket,authenticating, in the image scanning apparatus, the scan job ticketbased on authentication information in the scan send ticket; and inresponse to the authentication, storing the scan data in the storageaccording to the content of the job.
 2. The method according to claim 1,wherein the transmitting includes transmitting the scan job ticket bybroadcast transmission.
 3. The method according to claim 2, furthercomprising: in response to the authentication, sending back from theimage scanning apparatus to the terminal the scan send ticket used forthe authentication; displaying, in the terminal, a user interface screenfor selection of sent-back scan send tickets; transmitting, to the imagescanning apparatus having sent back the selected scan send ticket,information for identifying the selected scan send ticket; and sendingscan data associated with the selected scan send ticket according to thecontent of the job.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: thescan send ticket is associated with a plurality of scan data items; themethod further includes in response to the authentication, sending backfrom the image scanning apparatus to the terminal the scan send ticketused for the authentication, displaying, in the terminal, a userinterface screen for selection from the plurality of scan data itemsassociated with the sent-back scan send ticket, transmitting informationfor identifying the selected scan data to the image scanning apparatushaving sent back the selected scan send ticket, and sending the selectedscan data according to the content of the job.
 5. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein: the scan send ticket is associated with a pluralityof scan data items; the method further includes in response to theauthentication, sending back from the image scanning apparatus to theterminal the scan send ticket used for the authentication, displaying,in the terminal, a user interface screen for selection of at leasteither the plurality of scan data items associated with the sent-backscan send ticket, or sent-back scan send tickets, transmittinginformation for identifying at least either of a selected scan sendticket or selected scan data, to the image scanning apparatus havingtransmitted the selected scan send ticket, and sending at least eitherof the scan data associated with the selected scan send ticket or theselected scan data, according to the content of the job.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein: the scan send ticket includes validityperiod information indicating a validity period for the authentication;and the storing includes determining whether clock time of theauthentication is within the validity period indicated in the validityperiod information, and storing the scan data in the storage if theauthentication clock time is within the validity period, and discardingthe scan send ticket and the scan job ticket if the authentication clocktime is not within the validity period.
 7. The method according to claim1, further comprising: determining whether the storage is configured toallow the image scanning apparatus to store the scan data in thestorage; and changing the configuration of the storage so as to allowthe image scanning apparatus to store the scan data in the storage ifthe storage is configured not to allow the image scanning apparatus tostore the scan data.
 8. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising: if the storage is configurationally altered, setting a flagsignifying the configurational change; and returning the storage to itsoriginal configuration based on the flag, in response to a notificationof completion of a process according to the scan job ticket.
 9. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising: storing the scan sendticket in the image scanning apparatus; and reading out the scan sendticket from the image scanning apparatus in response to the receiving ofthe scan job ticket.
 10. An image scanning apparatus for connection to astorage via a network, comprising: a scan job ticket receiver configuredto receive a scan job ticket as a data file containing content of a jobfor storing scan data, generated by image scanning, in the storage; ascan send ticket generating unit configured to generate, according tothe content of the job, a scan send ticket as a data file for sendingthe scan data; and an authenticating unit configured to authenticate, inresponse to the receiving of the scan job ticket, the scan job ticketbased on authentication information in the scan send ticket; wherein thestorage is caused to store, in response to the authentication, the scandata according to the content of the job.
 11. The image scanningapparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a scan data storingprocessing unit configured to cause, in response to the authentication,the storage to store, based on the content of the job, scan dataassociated with the scan send ticket.
 12. The image scanning apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein: the scan send ticket includes validityperiod information indicating a validity period for the authentication;and the storing includes determining whether clock time of theauthentication is within the validity period indicated in the validityperiod information, and storing the scan data in the storage if theauthentication clock time is within the validity period, and discardingthe scan send ticket and the scan job ticket if the authentication clocktime is not within the validity period.
 13. An image scanning system,comprising: the image scanning apparatus according to claim 10; and aterminal; wherein the terminal includes a scan job ticket generatorconfigured to generate the scan job ticket, and a scan job tickettransmitter configured to transmit the scan job ticket from the terminalto the image scanning apparatus.
 14. The image scanning system accordingto claim 13, wherein the scan job ticket transmitter transmits the scanjob ticket by broadcast transmission in the terminal.
 15. The imagescanning system according to claim 14, wherein: in response to theauthentication, the image scanning apparatus sends back to the terminalthe scan send ticket used for the authentication; the terminal displaysa user interface screen for selection of sent-back scan send tickets;the terminal transmits, to the image scanning apparatus having sent backthe selected scan send ticket, information for identifying the selectedscan send ticket; and the image scanning apparatus sends scan dataassociated with the selected scan send ticket according to the contentof the job.
 16. The image scanning system according to claim 13,wherein: the scan send ticket is associated with a plurality of scandata items; in response to the authentication, the image scanningapparatus sends back to the terminal the scan send ticket used for theauthentication; the terminal displays a user interface screen forselection from the plurality of scan data items associated with thesent-back scan send ticket; the terminal transmits information foridentifying the selected scan data to the image scanning apparatushaving sent back the selected scan send ticket; and the image scanningapparatus sends the selected scan data according to the content of thejob.
 17. The image scanning system according to claim 13, wherein theterminal determines whether the storage is configured to allow the imagescanning apparatus to store the scan data in the storage, and changesthe configuration of the storage so as to allow the image scanningapparatus to store the scan data in the storage if the storage isconfigured not to allow the image scanning apparatus to store the scandata.
 18. The image scanning system according to claim 13, wherein ifthe storage is configurationally altered, the terminal sets a flagsignifying the configurational change, and returns the storage to itsoriginal configuration based on the flag in response to a notificationof completion of a process according to the scan job ticket.
 19. Anon-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing an imagescanning program to control an image scanning apparatus for connectionto a storage via a network, the image scanning program causing the imagescanning apparatus to function as: a scan job ticket receiver configuredto receive a scan job ticket as a data file containing content of a jobfor storing scan data, generated by image scanning, in the storage; ascan send ticket generating unit configured to generate, according tothe content of the job, a scan send ticket as a data file for sendingthe scan data; an authenticating unit configured to authenticate, inresponse to the receiving of the scan job ticket, the scan job ticketbased on authentication information in the scan send ticket; wherein thestorage is caused to store, in response to the authentication, the scandata according to the content of the job.
 20. The recording mediumaccording to claim 19, wherein the image scanning program further causesthe image scanning apparatus to function as a scan data storingprocessing unit configured to cause, in response to the authentication,the storage to store, based on the content of the job, scan dataassociated with the scan send ticket.